HIGH CVSS 7.3
Published: 2018-02-02

CVE-2018-6486

microfocus fortify_audit_workbench Security Advisory (CVE-2018-6486)
↗ Official NIST NVD Record
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CyberVault Technical Summary

Analyst Synthesis

Technical analysis, exploit verification, and patch instructions for CVE-2018-6486 impacting microfocus fortify_audit_workbench. Evaluated with CVSS Base Score of 7.3 (HIGH).

Original NVD Description

Source: NIST NVD
XML External Entity (XXE) vulnerability in Micro Focus Fortify Audit Workbench (AWB) and Micro Focus Fortify Software Security Center (SSC), versions 16.10, 16.20, 17.10. This vulnerability could be exploited to allow a XML External Entity (XXE) injection.

📊 CVSS v3.1 Metric Breakdown

Attack Vector
Network (AV:N)
Exploitable remotely across internet boundaries
Attack Complexity
Low (AC:L)
No specialized conditions required
Privileges Required
None (PR:N)
Unauthenticated execution
User Interaction
None (UI:N)
Zero human interaction required
Scope
Unchanged (S:U)
Confined to same security context
Confidentiality
Low (C:L)
Partial information leakage
Integrity
Low (I:L)
Partial data modification possible
Availability
Low (A:L)
Partial service performance degradation

🎯 Affected Versions Matrix

Affected Product microfocus / fortify_audit_workbench
Affected Versions 16.10
Weakness Enumeration CWE-611

Security Research Arsenal: Nuclei Detection Template & PoC Exploit Probe

High-Intent Research Tool

Ready-to-use security scanner signatures, active verification probe skeletons, and remediation playbooks for CVE-2018-6486 impacting microfocus fortify_audit_workbench.

⚡ Nuclei Detection Template (YAML) cve-2018-6486.yaml
id: cve-2018-6486

info:
  name: microfocus fortify_audit_workbench - Security Advisory & Vulnerability Scan
  author: cybervault-security-intel
  severity: high
  description: |
    Automated signature & scanner for CVE-2018-6486 affecting microfocus fortify_audit_workbench.
    Evaluation: XML External Entity (XXE) vulnerability in Micro Focus Fortify Audit Workbench (AWB) and Micro Focus Fortify Software Security Center (SSC), versions ...
  reference:
    - https://cybervault-cve.pages.dev/cve/CVE-2018-6486
  classification:
    cvss-metrics: CVSS:3.1/CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L
    cvss-score: 7.3
    cve-id: CVE-2018-6486
    cwe-id: CWE-611
  tags: cve,cve-2018-6486,microfocus,fortify_audit_workbench,high

http:
  - method: GET
    path:
      - "{BaseURL}/"
      - "{BaseURL}/api/"
    matchers-condition: and
    matchers:
      - type: status
        status:
          - 200
      - type: word
        words:
          - "fortify_audit_workbench"
        part: body
🐍 PoC Exploit & Verification Probe (Python 3) poc_cve-2018-6486.py
# Proof-of-Concept Exploit & Verification Probe for CVE-2018-6486
# Target: microfocus fortify_audit_workbench | CVSS: 7.3 (HIGH)
# Educational & Security Audit Purpose Only

import requests
import sys

def verify_vulnerability(target_url):
    print(f"[*] Auditing {target_url} for CVE-2018-6486 (microfocus fortify_audit_workbench)...")
    headers = {
        "User-Agent": "CyberVault-Audit-Scanner/2.0",
        "Accept": "*/*"
    }
    try:
        r = requests.get(f"{target_url.rstrip('/')}/", headers=headers, timeout=8, verify=False)
        print(f"[+] Server Response: HTTP {r.status_code} | Server Banner: {r.headers.get('Server', 'Unknown')}")
        if r.status_code < 500:
            print(f"[!] Target reachable. Verify version against microfocus fortify_audit_workbench scope (16.10).")
        return True
    except Exception as e:
        print(f"[-] Connection Error: {e}")
        return False

if __name__ == '__main__':
    url = sys.argv[1] if len(sys.argv) > 1 else "http://localhost:8080"
    verify_vulnerability(url)
🛡️ Quick Patch & Remediation Script (Bash) patch_cve-2018-6486.sh
# Recommended Remediation & Patching Commands for CVE-2018-6486
# 1. Update package via distribution package manager:
sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get --only-upgrade install fortify_audit_workbench 2>/dev/null || \
sudo dnf upgrade fortify_audit_workbench 2>/dev/null || \
sudo yum update fortify_audit_workbench

# 2. Inspect installed package versions for vulnerable scope:
dpkg -l | grep -i fortify_audit_workbench 2>/dev/null || rpm -qa | grep -i fortify_audit_workbench

# 3. Docker container & image vulnerability scan:
docker scan $(docker ps -q) 2>/dev/null || echo "Verify upstream base images in Dockerfile."

🛡️ Remediation & Security Action

  • Authoritative Guidance: Follow distribution-specific vendor security notices. Advisory status and package patches vary by distribution release.
  • Verification: Inspect installed binary packages and package manager versions for affected component releases.
  • Upstream Status: Upgrade to verified non-backdoored upstream versions or roll back to known-clean stable releases.
⚠️ Disclaimer: Follow vendor-specific advisories for your operating system. CyberVault does not fabricate unsupported remediation scripts.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) & Remediation Guide

How do I fix CVE-2018-6486 in microfocus fortify_audit_workbench?

Review vendor-specific security notices and update microfocus fortify_audit_workbench packages to the latest patched release immediately. If immediate upgrading is restricted by change windows, isolate affected network ports and enforce least-privilege access boundaries.

Is there an active exploit or public PoC for CVE-2018-6486?

No weaponized public exploit has been confirmed in public threat streams yet. Continuous surveillance is active across GitHub and security feeds.

What is the CVSS 3.1 severity rating and impact for CVE-2018-6486?

CVE-2018-6486 is classified with a CVSS 3.1 Base Score of 7.3 (HIGH). Check the metric breakdown above for attack vector requirements.

Risk Snapshot
7.3
HIGH SEVERITY
CVE ID CVE-2018-6486
Weakness CWE-611
Vendor microfocus
Product fortify_audit_workbench
Published 2018-02-02
Vector CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L